Utah shooting remains a concern and Orlando is 8-3 ATS catching 9.5 or more points this season. 

Better and more consistent team than Milwaukee and they understand how to beat them. 

Washington has lost two home games to very good teams by making too many turnovers look for them to clean that up today against an Indiana team they know they can beat. 

Yes, it is a lot of lumber, but Toronto has been playing fantastic and Charlotte is not guarding anybody in recent games. The Raptors by 13 or more. 

I know Butler is out for Minnesota, but Utah is really shooting the ball poorly, on a five-game stretch at exactly 42%. That is a lot of points to give a team unless you have shots dropping. The Jazz win, just by four or less. 

Philly deserves to be favored but they are 2-7 SU and ATS in the second of back to back games, losing by -7.3 PPG. Charlotte could win this contest.

Oklahoma City is back in Play Against mode. Watch Dallas slide under the number. 

New Orleans playing well on multiple levels and if they play the same way, this is two-point game either way. 

Washington in nice rhythm and no reason for them not to be ready to face Golden State. Warriors win, just by 5 or less. 

The Spurs are really slumping, while Cleveland's on a resurgence. I expect that to continue with the Cavaliers putting San Antonio away in the fourth quarter to win by 7 or more.

After making a fair amount of money recently betting against Charlotte, they have won three straight while Detroit continues to falter. The Hornets by at least 6. 

Blazers by 10!

Washington is in a nice groove and Hornets are 7-17 ATS when playing on back-to-back days.

Raptors by 9

Orlando losses but by just 1 or 2 points.

Though Toronto has been a pedestrian road team, they come into Charlotte playing well, especially on the defensive end. I look for that to continue against a Hornets squad that has not shot the ball well and is 2-11 ATS as a home underdog.

My power ratings have Orlando at +1 or +1.5, Magic cover.

The Jazz is in harmony right now in winning seven straight (6-1 ATS) and is 10-2 and 9-3 ATS hosting Charlotte. 

I know Boston played an OT game last night, but my power ratings still have the C's winning by 7. The Celtics are a sharp  20-5 ATS versus teams making 46% or more of their shots this season and pull away in the fourth quarter to cover. 

Blazers by 6

To me, it is a simple matter of points. Miami is 7-15 ATS at home and averages 100 PPG. Houston averages 111 PPG on the road and the total is 210. Rockets 110-100, covers with ease. 

OKC in another slump, but Golden State is too big a favorite. If Thunder don't get up for this game, they have real problems.

Had a hard time trying to determine why Washington, whose on five-game winning streak (matching spread record), would rise from +4.5 to +6 or +6.5 point underdog at Philadelphia. Sure, everyone is in a good mood in Philly because of the Super Bowl, but the Sixers are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five. Based on the situation, the 76ers are 30-13 ATS coming off a road setback and the Wizards did play last night and are in third-game/four night spot, but Washington is solid 14-5 ATS as an underdog. 

I know the C's have some injury issues at the moment but down this far with how they are playing and being at home where everyone is New England area crazy today! Boston by 5 to 7.

New Orleans is a dangerous team with the additions they have made after losing Cousins. Don't worry about them being tired either after playing last night, their scoring differential is less than one point to the negative side in the second game in two days. 

Do you dare back Cleveland at this point? I certainly don't. The Cavs are unreal 5-19 ATS in home games this season. 

Celtics know how to play without Kyrie and their shooting has picked up. I like them by 10 or more over Atlanta. 

All three power ratings have Memphis losing by 5 or less to Indiana.

With underdogs like Denver of 3.5 to 9.5 points, revenging a road loss of 20 points or more, against opponent off an home win scoring 110 or more points, they are 6-31 ATS. Add in Spurs are 10-1 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points this season, you know what I'm doing.

Detroit really short-handed and Cleveland showing definite signs of turning around. 

Short number on Miami with Dallas having shooting problems and not playing well. The Heat is a super 11-2 ATS in road games after playing a couple home games the last two seasons. 

The Lakers are playing well while Toronto continues to scuffle since losing to Golden State by 2, with a 1-5 ATS mark. I still think the Raptors win, just by around 7. 

Kawhi Leonard’s absence lately seemed to send San Antonio into a funk, as the Spurs went four straight games with some ugly offensive performances. However, things seemed to click over the last couple of outings, starting with the rout of Cleveland on Tuesday. They put up 114 points on the Cavs and followed it up with 108 points the next night on Memphis. That sets HC Greg Poppovich’s team up for a nice system for this evening against Philly. It says to back Home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points,  a good team (+3 to +7 PPG diff.) against an average team (+/- 3 PPG diff.) after 42+ games, after scoring 105 points or more 2 straight games. The system is on a 91-51 ATS surge. Historically the 76ers have struggled in San Antonio as well, as they have lost six straight games while scoring less than 83 PPG. A similar outing will mean an easy win for the Spurs.

Clippers have dropped three straight and not really sure why they should be this big a favorite. My numbers have Memphis winning outright.

One of these days the Cavaliers are going to bust out, but this usually does not happen until a team starts winning a game or two and has confidence. That is why I have no problem taking the Pacers. They are likely to lose, just by four or less. 

The key to Chicago covering any game is their shooting percentage. If the Bulls shoot 47 percent or higher, they cover frequently, if they don't, they fall short. With New Orleans only fair defensively, they should have a real shot and of late, Chicago is 21-7 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 

Miami continues to hang in and catches Houston off big win against Golden State and might be a little flat. The Heat is 13-4 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 

Clippers are hot, Jazz are not. Clips Win!

All my power ratings having the Grizzlies by just 5 at Pelicans. 

It is irrefutable that Sacramento is the worst team in basketball, and for tonight, with Marc Gasol expected to be back in the lineup for the Grizzlies, the Kings are actually overpriced by a point and a half according to my numbers. When the teams met on New year’s Eve, the Grizzlies won by 18 points in Sacramento, hitting 14 of 30 three point shots. Now Memphis doesn’t typically shoot that well and wouldn’t be expected to again this evening, but what I do expect from them is to continue their strong run of defensive efforts. They have held six of their L9 opponents to 43% or less from the floor. The Kings have lost six straight games and don’t figure to get it turned around against a stout defensive team. No way. I’ll lay the points with Memphis.

All my power ratings have Indiana winning outright. Portland is 3-11 ATS as home favorite and the Pacers are 13-3 ATS away when playing with two day's rest. Add in home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points like the Blazers, after failing to cover the spread in four or more consecutive games, playing six or more games in 10 days are 6-26 ATS, I love Indy!

Clippers really playing well and they are 11-3 ATS after covering the spread in two or more games this season. Also, Denver just 2-6 SU with no rest, losing by 5.4 PPG.

Quick turnaround after 18-point loss at Miami. It is also not unusual for teams like the Heat to suffer letdown after long winning streak ends.

Boston has two ways to win and cover, their defense or taking advantage of New Orleans defense. Though the total of 215 seems tailored to the Pelicans, the C's are 8-1 ATS when the total is 210 to 219.5 this season. Celtics by 7. 

I will stick with the hot team. Miami has won seven straight and has shown they know how to play in this role with 10-1 ATS record  after five or more wins the last two seasons. In addition, the Heat are 6-2 SU & ATS in last eight underdog roles and win this contest!

Off a couple of poor defensive performances, look for the Knicks to be ready to play and improve on 15-8 SU and ATS record over New Orleans.

Houston has gotten used to playing without Harden and several players are stepping up. In addition, home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points like the Suns, being outscored by their opponents by 6+ points/game, after scoring 105 points or more are 4-13 ATS in next game. 

Charlotte just shot over 51% in losing to Dallas. They have not made over 47% of shot attempts in consecutive games in nearly two months. Utah is no prize, but home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points like the Hornets, after a game where they failed to cover the spread, playing only their second game in seven days are miserable 8-33 ATS. 

I just don't know how you trust Cleveland as a favorite. There defense is awful and Toronto has been playing very good basketball. Just trying LeBron is not good enough. Cavs 3-12 ATS after a loss by 15 points or more.

Poor showing by OKC last night. I say they bounce back and T-Wolves 0-8 ATS in home games after scoring 120 points or more the last 3 seasons. 

Brooklyn has covered six straight and is off poor shooting game and faces ordinary Pistons defense. Plus this System of mine; Play On January home teams when the line is +3 to -3 (BROOKLYN), off a loss against a division rival. (24-5 ATS, 82.8%, L5Y)

Washington is playing better, but is -2.2 in point differential on the road. Memphis has terrible spread record at home, but that is mostly as faves and they are -2.7 point differential at home and playing with two days' rest. 

In reading about Milwaukee, all the players are saying is they should have won at Toronto four days ago. Bucks get there revenge at home. 

I think the Celtics are starting to churn again, especially on offense. The C's take advantage of weak T-Wolves defense and they average four more 3's per game. 

Despite the fact Da Bulls are 13-2 ATS in their past 15 games, hoops bettors have more confidence in Toronto and pushed them from -3.5 to -5.5. The Raptors have won 14 of 17 (10-7 ATS) and do have the better team. However, Chicago is 9-1 ATS playing into double revenge and is 8-1 ATS recently versus the Purple Dinosaurs, which includes 4-0 SU and ATS on the south side of Chi-Town.

Has Oklahoma City turned a corner? It seems that way, winners of five straight and seven of eight. Basketball bettors now have enough faith in them to take OKC from -2.5 to -4 against visiting Toronto. The Raptors have not exactly been paupers, with a 14-2 record (11-5 ATS) going back 33 days. This should be high quality contest and I'll back the Purple Dinosaurs off their worst shooting game of the season tonight (33.7%).

Just 11 days ago Milwaukee gave a poor effort in loss to Chicago at home. I expect a much more focused Bucks team this time around, especially on the defensive end when they allowed Chicago to score 115 points. Two of my sets of numbers have Milwaukee winning by 9 or 10 points, which sounds right to me. 

The Knicks are on a nice little 5-2 SU and ATS run while the Sixers are sinking fast on a 1-9 SU and ATS sojourn. Take those numbers and add in New York is 15-5 SU and ATS at home, winning by 7 PPG at MSG, that sounds about right, the Knickerbockers by 7.

Utah just lost by 28 at OKC three days ago. Great turnaround spot and Utah 12-5 SU and ATS at home while Thunder 4-12 ATS on the road.

Miami lost another starter last night and is coming off shooting 63%. Good spot for New Orleans who is much stronger offensively.

Charlotte and Milwaukee do a home and home the next two nights, starting in the Brew City. The Hornets have been scuffling for some time now and are 2-11 and 3-8-2 ATS on the road. The Bucks are off ego-building win over Cleveland in which they built a big lead, lost it all but were clutch in the last two minutes. I think this carries over playing at home and Milwaukee's finest is 28-13 ATS at home games after a combined score of 215 points or more in two straight games. Bucks by 8 or more. 

Basically same winning situation as last week (Mavs) with Golden State. Warriors facing team that has trouble scoring and pulls away for the cover. 

Toronto playing excellent basketball while Charlotte continues to struggle. Dinosaurs are 19-8 ATS after scoring 105 points or more in three straight games.

Cavs on 18-1 SU run and are short favorite against a Bucks team that has little depth with injuries and is poor defensively. Unless Giannis Antetokounmpo goes off, Cleveland the play. 

Minnesota has been quite inconsistent and Jimmy Butler is going to try and play with back issue. Portland is 4-0 ATS on the road trip and winners of the last three. The Blazers defense has been sharp and they are 12-2 ATS in away games off an upset win as an underdog and finish the trip on a high note. 

Went against Charlotte last night and coming right back at them. The Hornets are having shooting problems and are 5-15 ATS in home games playing on back-to-back days the last three seasons. Blazers outright!

Charlotte has lost eight of 10 and is 3-6-1 ATS and not played well at all. Miami has not been great in losing five of eight, but there offense has stabilized in last four games and there is not any good reason the Hornets will shoot better this evening. The Heat just lost to Portland and is 16-5 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite the last three seasons. All my numbers have this as one or two-point outcome!

Despite some injuries, I think Golden State has more than enough to put Dallas away. As is the case with the Warriors, Durant and Thompson spearhead the team and bench players relish the extra playing time, especially. A couple of my power ratings have Golden State by 15 and I concur. 

The Clips have not been very good all year, but they have won their last two contests and are facing a very depleted Orlando team who has to rely on bench players tonight. With the Clippers gathering a little momentum and having beaten the Magic seven times in a row, L.A. wins this one.

Cleveland is 2-11 ATS as home favorite and 0-8 ATS when handing out 10 or more points. Atlanta slides under number. 

Wizards by 6.

After finally waking up, Cleveland has been playing much better defense which has fueled nine-game winning streak. The Cavs have everything they need to take out Atlanta offensively and as long they keep up same defensive effort, they should be good and win by 10 or more. 

Both these teams are 10-10 and their matchup opened as a Pick. Later, oddsmakers adjusted Miami to a two- point favorite and also pushed the total up two digits to 203. (since changed) The Heat is 6-5 SU and ATS on the road this season and is on a 6-0 SU and ATS run at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, winning by whopping 16.5 PPG. The Under is 5-1 in those contests. However, this is a better New York squad, who has played very well at home with 9-4 and 10-3 ATS mark. For my money, this looks like a matching pair, either Miami and Under or New York and Over. I'll say the Knicks finally get their revenge. 

Bucks Cover

Pelicans have shot over 50% four straight games, that cannot continue. New Orleans is also just .500 at home, while Toronto is outscoring home teams by 2.5 PPG and is 15-3 ATS after failing to cover four of their last five.

Utah on 1-5 SU and ATS downer, 0-4 SU on the road while Knicks are 6-3 and 7-2 ATS at home. 

It has been reported the Al Horford will not play tonight with concussion, but I still like Boston. The Celtics have won nine in a row (8-1 ATS) and their foundation is in being 1st in points allowed and 3rd in defensive shooting percentage. The Lakers are young team playing only 4th road game and have allowed 47.5 shooting percentage to their opponents outside L.A. With the Lakers 5-20 ATS after playing two consecutive home games, it's the C's by 10 or more. 

New York has played much better all season and is 4-2 SU and ATS at home and is 15-5 ATS having won three of their last four games. With Charlotte laboring at 1-4 SU and ATS on the road, I will nab the points.